Tuesday, October 4, 2011

Character Interview + Contest: Caleb from Eve by Anna Carey

It is hot boy interview time again! Today's hottie is the charming Caleb from Anna Carey's fantastic debut Eve. I fell hard for this boy, and I bet you guys will too. So check out this interview, then go pick up the book, out today! Or if you really can stand to wait, then stick around because Caleb is bringing you a chance to win a copy of the book.

Though being with Eve poses a threat to yourself, you don't seem to mind. Would you be the same for any girl, or is it her specifically?

It’s her—of course it’s her. Eve’s the funniest, strangest person I’ve ever met. I could listen to her talk all day. She has all these ideas about things—some that carry over from School—and she can be really stubborn. She often sees things in black and white. And she’ll consider some things I say, and other times she’ll tell me I have no clue what I’m talking about. She’s so kind and good. She makes me laugh, even when she’s not trying to. And she’s beautiful. Like all those girls I’ve seen on the covers of books and magazines, the ones on the faded billboards on the side of the road. She’s like them…but even better. She’s real.

What is your best memory of the times before the plague?

Everything was so green where we lived. It must’ve been all the rain. My brother and I would run through the woods with our friends, playing this game—capture the flag. We’d keep running and laughing, and tackling each other. We’d be out there all day. I never felt cold or tired or hungry. And when we’d come inside our mother would be cooking. The whole house would smell like food. I remember pushing the mashed potatoes around on my plate, the way the butter tasted when it melted into them. My dad would sometimes spread the paper out and we’d read the headlines. My fingers would be grey from the newsprint. I guess there isn’t one memory, really. It was everything. We couldn’t know it then, but everything was so good before the plague.

Which of the other boys have you connected the most with? Which do you feel the most protective towards?

The boys are all like brothers to me. While I was training the older boys to hunt and fight, I got to know Kevin much better. He’s quieter than the others, but is very strong. He escaped from the labor camps by himself. He has a lot of integrity, and would do anything for anyone in the dugout. I’m obviously very protective of Silas and Benny, as they’re the youngest. I worry sometimes they’re not getting the attention they need. We’re all so busy making sure everyone has enough food and supplies, they sometimes fall beneath the radar.

What's it like to kiss Eve?

There’s a cliff overlooking the lake that I discovered one summer. It must’ve been thirty feet above the water. A bunch of the older boys and I went up there, and we were daring each other to jump. I’d never dove from that high up before. I could feel the terror in my chest, like everything in my body was telling me not to jump. But as soon as I did, it was the best thing I’d ever known. I was free. I hit the water and it consumed me. As soon as I came to the surface I just wanted to do it again and again. I didn’t care about the height anymore, or the rocks along the edge, or anything really. Kissing Eve for the first time was kind of like that.

Boxers or briefs?

It’s probably better if I don’t answer this question…I haven’t seen either in years.

What kind of dinosaur would you describe yourself as?

I’ve only ever read one book on dinosaurs, but I remember this one—the brontosaurus. It seemed like this gentle giant, just content to be alive, to wander through the jungle and observe everything. I know it would probably seem tougher to say “Tyrannosaurus Rex!” or some other big, scary thing, but the truth is I wouldn’t kill anything if I didn’t have to. I hate it.

Thanks, Caleb, for sharing those answers and see what I mean ladies? Totally meltworthy!

Eve is out today, but now is your chance to win a copy of the book. To enter, just fill out THIS form.

Contest is US Only and ends October 11.

No entries will be accepted through the comments, but you should leave one anyhow. I mean, look at how awesome this guy is!